Drawn Together - In Search of Artist Tribal

Drawn Together by Pete Venters
(Drawn Together | Art by Pete Venters)

A Work of Art

One of the most useful parts of EDHREC are the lists of tribal commanders, decks, and cards, which are so useful for finding interesting creature type synergies and cards you may have forgotten about.

Of course, there are also decks built around mechanics in a similar way, such as "flying tribal" and "deathtouch tribal". Though these decks don't focus on creature types in the same way, they feature cards bearing specific mechanics and try to take advantage of what those mechanics do, as well as other cards that specifically mention those mechanics (e.g., menace, trample, vigilance).

Less common are so-called "Artist Tribal" decks: those that exclusively or heavily feature cards with art by a specific Magic: the Gathering artist. These decks aren't necessarily mechanically synergistic; their primary purpose is typically to celebrate the work of a specific illustrator. Lately, I've been really interested in the art of Magic, and those who create it.


Thus, I decided to look for Artist Tribal decks in the EDHREC database!

My process was straightforward, though fairly computationally expensive: I looked through a large sample of the over 1,000,000 decks represented on EDHREC and identified the artist(s) responsible for the illustrations of each card therein.1 I decided that any deck running at least 50 unique nonbasic lands with art by a single artist was probably trying to be themed around that artist. Here are some of the most popular illustrators to build a deck around:

artist deck_count
Kev Walker 12
Jesper Ejsing 4
Rebecca Guay 3
Rob Alexander 3
Christopher Moeller 2
Mark Tedin 2
Ron Spencer 2
Daarken 1
Donato Giancola 1
Johannes Voss 1
Karl Kopinski 1
Nils Hamm 1
Pete Venters 1
Raymond Swanland 1
Richard Kane Ferguson 1
rk post 1
Svetlin Velinov 1
Vincent Proce 1
Volkan Baga 1
Wayne Reynolds 1

In recognition of the talent of these artists and the creativity of the deckbuilders responsible for these decks, below is an "art gallery" of sorts, featuring the individual illustrations that appear most frequently in these theme decks.

I find that scrolling through this gallery gives an excellent sense of the nature and breadth of each artists' ouvre.

Kev Walker Rob Alexander Jesper Ejsing Rebecca Guay Ron Spencer Christopher Moeller Mark Tedin Karl Kopinski Johannes Voss Donato Giancola Raymond Swanland Volkan Baga Svetlin Velinov Richard Kane Ferguson Daarken rk post Pete Venters Wayne Reynolds Nils Hamm Vincent Proce

Copper Myr

Absolver Thrull

Beast Within

Abundance

Angelic Chorus

Aggressive Urge

Braingeyser

Acidic Slime

Angel of Vitality

Agrus Kos, Wojek Veteran

Auger Spree

Abattoir Ghoul

Abrupt Decay

Apprentice Wizard

Abyssal Specter

Arbor Elf

Aether Sting

Ajani's Chosen

Artisan of Kozilek

Abomination of Llanowar

Leaden Myr

Altar Golem

Bitterblossom

Auramancer

Ant Queen

Ajani Goldmane

Cage of Hands

Aether Vial

Atarka Beastbreaker

Altar's Reap

Banefire

Angel of Invention

Anger

Arcane Denial

Archfiend of Depravity

Avatar of Fury

Apprentice Necromancer

Alpine Guide

Bile Blight

Abundant Growth

Promise of Power

Ana Sanctuary

Blackbloom Rogue

Boomerang

Anthroplasm

Arrest

Dismantling Blow

Akoum Warrior

Azor's Elocutors

Amber Prison

Bituminous Blast

Angelic Ascension

Apex Devastator

Basal Thrull

Arguel's Blood Fast

Avatar of Woe

Archivist

Ambitious Assault

Bitterblossom

All Is Dust

Visara the Dreadful

Arena

Bloodthorn Taunter

Carpet of Flowers

Aura Shards

Champion of Lambholt

Draining Whelk

Arachnus Spinner

Bar the Gate

Archivist

Blood Rites

Archangel's Light

Bolt Bend

Batwing Brume

Bala Ged Scorpion

Ayumi, the Last Visitor

Baron Sengir

Ashling the Pilgrim

Blackcleave Goblin

Ancient Stirrings

Llanowar Elves

Beacon of Immortality

Borderland Ranger

Devout Harpist

Avenger en-Dal

Cloudthresher

Eldrazi Monument

Arachnus Web

Blightstep Pathway

Asha's Favor

Bloodbraid Elf

Archfiend of Depravity

Brash Taunter

Blackblade Reforged

Blistergrub

Batterskull

Befoul

Ashling, the Extinguisher

Blightsoil Druid

Barrier of Bones

Dread Return

Breeding Pool

Epic Proportions

Enchanted Evening

Blatant Thievery

Fireshrieker

Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder

Atarka, World Render

Blood Artist

Bant Battlemage

Bloodfire Expert

Bastion of Remembrance

Breeches, Brazen Plunderer

Boomerang

Bloodcrazed Paladin

Blazing Salvo

Blight

Auntie's Hovel

Bone Splinters

Bile Blight

Ohran Viper

Cellar Door

Goblin Tunneler

Enchantress's Presence

Bone Shredder

Fortify

Force Void

Baneful Omen

Bloodmad Vampire

Bant Panorama

Boltwing Marauder

Blood Tribute

Burning Sun's Avatar

Consign to Dream

Bloodhusk Ritualist

Brooding Saurian

Cabal Slaver

Auramancer

Boneyard Lurker

Call of the Death-Dweller

Krosan Tusker

Creeping Mold

Impact Resonance

Gaea's Blessing

Carrion Beetles

Griffin Protector

Grim Tutor

Battle Brawler

Brightclimb Pathway

Branchloft Pathway

Cabal Therapy

Brimstone Mage

Challenger Troll

Dakkon Blackblade

Bog Tatters

Concentrate

Carrionette

Balthor the Defiled

Briarhorn

Chainer's Torment

Mirri the Cursed

Dark Maze

Lignify

Greenseeker

Crystal Ball

Hidden Guerrillas

Guiltfeeder

Blood-Chin Rager

Brightwood Tracker

Brand

Caldera Hellion

Castle Ardenvale

Cinder Elemental

Dakkon, Shadow Slayer

Bog Wraith

Damping Engine

Castle Sengir

Blightsteel Colossus

Cairn Wanderer

Chronomaton

Annihilate

Descendant of Masumaro

Munitions Expert

Haru-Onna

Damnation

Hunt Down

Guul Draz Specter

Blood Tyrant

Carpet of Flowers

Brightclimb Pathway

Caustic Crawler

Cavern Lampad

Clackbridge Troll

Desertion

Caligo Skin-Witch

Dawnstrider

Chime of Night

Blood Reckoning

Corpseweft

Corpsejack Menace

Assassinate

Divergent Growth

Seeds of Renewal

Holistic Wisdom

Degavolver

Indrik Umbra

Heal

Bloodsworn Squire

Catalog

Cartographer's Hawk

Demolish

Chandra's Fury

Conspiracy Theorist

Dingus Staff

Call to the Grave

Death Match

Clutch of the Undercity

Bogardan Hellkite

Cower in Fear

Diregraf Colossus

Djinn of Wishes

Elvish Bard

Soot Imp

Kaysa

Diabolic Edict

Invasive Species

Jayemdae Tome

Bold Impaler

Cave of the Frost Dragon

Chrome Mox

Despise

Chromatic Orrery

Crater Elemental

Dissipate

Command the Dreadhorde

Defiling Tears

Coercion

Boldwyr Heavyweights

Dark Betrayal

Doom Whisperer

Eladamri's Call

Evacuation

Soul's Majesty

Mana Breach

Dragonstalker

Isamaru, Hound of Konda

Memory Lapse

Cancel

Chasm Guide

Coalition Relic

Devil's Play

Chrome Mox

Daretti, Ingenious Iconoclast

Drain Life

Contagion Engine

Dogged Hunter

Coffin Purge

Brute Force

Deadbridge Goliath

Eat to Extinction

Evolutionary Escalation

Exile

Acorn Catapult

Mobilize

Fanning the Flames

Kithkin Daggerdare

Mind Control

Chord of Calling

Clearwater Pathway

Disenchant

Diabolic Revelation

Clone Shell

Daring Demolition

Dream Prowler

Corrosive Mentor

Double Cleave

Consuming Vortex

Brute Strength

Deadbridge Shaman

Endbringer

Grim Poppet

Fangren Pathcutter

Arasta of the Endless Web

Moment's Peace

Fault Line

Kithkin Shielddare

Necropotence

Consuming Aberration

Commander's Authority

Ebon Dragon

Dragonmaster Outcast

Commander's Plate

Dead Reckoning

Earthlink

Curse of Fool's Wisdom

Emissary of Despair

Crovax the Cursed

Call to Glory

Death Baron

Explorer's Scope

Phyrexian Revoker

Feral Thallid

Beacon Behemoth

Mulch

Hammer of Bogardan

Liar's Pendulum

Nevinyrral's Disk

Curse of Wizardry

Dark Impostor

Echo Chamber

Firespout

Council Guardian

Decimator of the Provinces

Earthquake

Dark Revenant

Faerie Macabre

Dawn of the Dead

Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh

Death Wind

Geistcatcher's Rig

Rancor

Flooded Strand

Boartusk Liege

Norwood Warrior

Last Stand

Pathbreaker Ibex

No Mercy

Dack's Duplicate

Darkbore Pathway

Funeral Longboat

Flame Slash

Countryside Crusher

Dread Return

Elder Druid

Davriel's Shadowfugue

Fatespinner

Desperate Gambit

Cunning Sparkmage

Doomwake Giant

Gingerbrute

Slaughter Pact

Floral Spuzzem

Butcher's Glee

Path to Exile

Lightning Dragon

Phantom General

Phyrexian Boon

Deathbringer Thoctar

Daybreak Coronet

Fyndhorn Elder

Fomori Nomad

Court Street Denizen

Dreg Mangler

Essence Flare

Davriel, Rogue Shadowmage

Fulminator Mage

Duress

Dark Withering

Druid of Horns

Gonti's Aether Heart

Spiritmonger

Fractured Powerstone

Changeling Titan

Priest of Titania

Merfolk Looter

Ramosian Rally

Phyrexian Debaser

Distant Memories

Den of the Bugbear

Glory

Giant Scorpion

Cranial Archive

Druid Class

Everlasting Torment

Dementia Bat

Haunting Hymn

Exile into Darkness

Desperate Ritual

Fodder Launch

Grim Backwoods

Altered Ego

Fyndhorn Bow

Corpse Hauler

Quirion Trailblazer

New Frontiers

Reclamation Sage

Phyrexian Rager

Dragonlord Atarka

Dragon Hunter

Grinning Totem

Goblin Deathraiders

Defiant Salvager

Entomber Exarch

Farrel's Zealot

Demon of Dark Schemes

High Ground

Extortion

Dreadbore

Fume Spitter

Guardian Automaton

Asphyxiate

Fyndhorn Druid

Cudgel Troll

Renewing Touch

Phyrexian Processor

Revenge of the Hunted

Ponder

Endless Obedience

Dreadhorde Twins

Grove of the Burnwillows

Goblin Razerunners

Demolish

Ezuri's Predation

Field of Souls

Desecrated Earth

Hollow Specter

Feast or Famine

Estwald Shieldbasher

Garruk's Packleader

Hammer of Ruin

Clone

Gravity Well

Demolish

Reverent Mantra

Pili-Pala

Satyr Piper

Psychic Possession

Eyetwitch

Duskmantle Prowler

Helm of Kaldra

Haven of the Spirit Dragon

Doomed Necromancer

Fated Intervention

Flame Elemental

Dread Warlock

Jeska, Warrior Adept

Flametongue Kavu

Feather, the Redeemed

Garruk Wildspeaker

Harsh Scrutiny

Darksteel Reactor

Guard Gomazoa

Dragon Fodder

Root Maze

Plaguebearer

Seal of Cleansing

Repentant Vampire

Faithless Looting

Duty-Bound Dead

Iridescent Drake

Heroes' Bane

Dragonscale General

Flaying Tendrils

Flux

Drudge Skeletons

Kaervek the Merciless

Fleshbag Marauder

Fiend Hunter

Gaze of Granite

Herald of Anguish

Detention Sphere

Hallowed Fountain

Duskhunter Bat

Scryb Ranger

Quicksilver Dragon

Seal of Primordium

Second Chance

Garruk, Caller of Beasts

Estrid, the Masked

Jayemdae Tome

Hex Parasite

Elspeth, Knight-Errant

Foe-Razer Regent

Goblin War Drums

Echo Circlet

Leshrac's Rite

Glowing Anemone

Final-Sting Faerie

Glissa's Scorn

Hydra Broodmaster

Generous Gift

Harmonize

Flesh Carver

Sea Sprite

Repentance

Seller of Songbirds

Sol Ring

Gatekeeper of Malakir

Evra, Halcyon Witness

Jhessian Lookout

Into the Maw of Hell

Forever Young

Gemrazer

Hazezon Tamar

Essence Feed

Lumengrid Augur

Hellfire

Firemane Avenger

Grave Titan

Jaddi Lifestrider

Gold Myr

Harrow

Goblin Diplomats

Serra Angel

Rout

Shelter

Swords to Plowshares

Glen Elendra Archmage

Fiery Temper

Kindle

Kresh the Bloodbraided

Freejam Regent

Goblin Cratermaker

Hymn of Rebirth

Essence Harvest

Magister of Worth

Hesitation

Goblin Sharpshooter

Gravepurge

Kessig Recluse

Graveborn Muse

Heartbeat of Spring

Goblin Matron

Silent Attendant

Shard Phoenix

Snake Umbra

Telepathy

Hellraiser Goblin

Galea, Kindler of Hope

Lurking Crocodile

Kuldotha Flamefiend

Gilded Lotus

Goblin Rabblemaster

Icatian Scout

Finale of Eternity

Mana Cache

Hoarder's Greed

Goblin War Drums

Grindclock

Liliana, Death's Majesty

Jace Beleren

Honden of Life's Web

Goblin Shortcutter

Silkwing Scout

Sungrass Prairie

Spider Umbra

Temple Bell

Hinterland Harbor

Gallia of the Endless Dance

Mana Cylix

Lust for War

Gloom Surgeon

Golden Guardian

Jade Monolith

Font of Return

Mind Funeral

Infernal Contract

Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni

Grixis Panorama

Lotleth Troll

Magus of the Abyss

Hurricane

Grave Sifter

Sky Spirit

Terror

Spiritualize

Vengeful Dreams

Hinterland Logger

Gift of Orzhova

Meltdown

Magma Phoenix

Haunted Cloak

Golgari Germination

Kaervek's Purge

Foul-Tongue Invocation

Mindlock Orb

Irini Sengir

Inspired Charge

Haunting Echoes

Magus of the Will

Pestilence

Icatian Scout

Hunter of Eyeblights

Thornwind Faeries

Tolarian Emissary

Strength of the Tajuru

Abyssal Gatekeeper

Ignition Team

Hall of Storm Giants

Mimic Vat

Mitotic Slime

Increasing Ambition

Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma

Korlash, Heir to Blackblade

Gonti's Machinations

Morphling

Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker

Kytheon, Hero of Akros

Hideous Visage

Maw of the Mire

Provoke

Illusionary Terrain

Mogg War Marshal

Wonder

Unsummon

Sylvan Ranger

Aether Storm

Indulgent Tormentor

Hive of the Eye Tyrant

Mirari's Wake

Mycoloth

Inquisition of Kozilek

Hour of Glory

Krakilin

Gonti, Lord of Luxury

Necroplasm

Kiku's Shadow

Liliana, Heretical Healer

Hunger of the Howlpack

Metalspinner's Puzzleknot

Silver Myr

Inquisitor's Flail

Pillage

Wood Elves

Vhati il-Dal

Trap Digger

Angel of Mercy

Infest

Imperious Oligarch

Mordenkainen

Necrogen Scudder

Invader Parasite

Hydra Omnivore

Livonya Silone

Grasp of Darkness

Onyx Goblet

Massacre

Mad Auntie

Illness in the Ranks

Nessian Game Warden

Undying Evil

Kavu Climber

Piper of the Swarm

Yavimaya Dryad

Walking Sponge

Triskelion

Ashnod's Transmogrant

Krenko, Mob Boss

Karmic Guide

Moss Diamond

Nissa, Voice of Zendikar

Karlov of the Ghost Council

Jarad's Orders

Mindstab Thrull

Grasping Dunes

Orochi Sustainer

Midnight Covenant

Mad Prophet

Inexorable Blob

Noxious Gearhulk

Volrath's Stronghold

Lance

Prey's Vengeance

Angelic Renewal

Whipcorder

Trostani's Judgment

Celestial Ancient

Lay Bare the Heart

Lair of the Hydra

Needlethorn Drake

Nyxathid

Loyal Unicorn

Loathsome Troll

Misinformation

Grave Peril

Overseer of the Damned

Mistvein Borderpost

Marsh Flitter

Insatiable Appetite

Open the Graves

Abolish

Miren, the Moaning Well

Prickly Boggart

Asmira, Holy Avenger

Wrath of God

Ulvenwald Tracker

Chimeric Idol

Ludevic's Test Subject

Lieutenants of the Guard

Orim's Prayer

Obsidian Fireheart

Magmatic Chasm

Maelstrom Colossus

Nebuchadnezzar

Hangarback Walker

Pardic Arsonist

Mogg Infestation

Mindsparker

Minions' Murmurs

Pharika's Spawn

Council's Judgment

Oboro Envoy

Reliquary Tower

Aven Mindcensor

Aether Mutation

Umezawa's Jitte

Circle of Protection: Red

Mardu Heart-Piercer

Lyev Skyknight

Overgrown Farmland

Pact of the Titan

Mana Crypt

Mastermind's Acquisition

Orcish Squatters

Horror of the Broken Lands

Phyrexian Reclamation

Oppression

Mizzium Tank

Moan of the Unhallowed

Polluted Delta

Cruel Tutor

Overgrowth

Thornbite Staff

Calming Verse

Ascending Aven

Vines of Vastwood

City of Brass

Master of Waves

Markov Crusader

Peacekeeper

Predator Dragon

Mindslaver

Mayor of Avabruck

Pillage

Ihsan's Shade

Primal Growth

Orcish Settlers

Pirate's Pillage

Necrobite

Profane Transfusion

Damnation

Plow Under

Tooth and Nail

Commander Eesha

Battle Rampart

White Knight

Cyclopean Giant

Mind's Eye

Mirror March

Rack and Ruin

Predatory Advantage

Mox Diamond

Morkrut Banshee

Price of Progress

Lich's Mastery

Ragamuffyn

Pack's Disdain

Raiders' Spoils

Necrotic Hex

Scythe Specter

Dirge Bat

Polluted Delta

Valakut Exploration

Deathcoil Wurm

Brainstorm

Witchstalker

Dark Sphere

Rabid Bite

On Serra's Wings

Razia, Boros Archangel

Raised by Wolves

Mox Opal

Mortal's Resolve

Profane Tutor

Midnight Banshee

Sakashima the Impostor

Painbringer

Return to Dust

Night Market Lookout

Seed Guardian

Energy Chamber

Reap and Sow

Valentin, Dean of the Vein

Defense of the Heart

Cabal Therapy

Wood Elves

Deathcurse Ogre

Razorfield Thresher

Prismari Command

Rhox Meditant

Rescue from the Underworld

Orzhov Locket

Necropolis Fiend

Pyrrhic Revival

Mindwrack Demon

Sanguine Praetor

Pestilence

Silence

Nighthowler

Sentinel Spider

Gigantoplasm

Savannah

Vow of Malice

Drowner of Secrets

Chain of Acid

Wooded Bastion

Deep Spawn

Reaper of the Wilds

Protector of the Crown

Sacred Knight

Rhox Brute

Palace Guard

Noxious Dragon

Recall

Needlebite Trap

Serra's Liturgy

Phyrexian Arena

Skeletal Vampire

Noxious Hatchling

Soul of Zendikar

Goblinslide

Scatter the Seeds

Weed Strangle

Elvish Piper

Change of Heart

Aven Tactician

Defense Grid

Reckless Spite

Reconnaissance Mission

Sanctum Guardian

Rubblehulk

Panharmonicon

Oak Street Innkeeper

Rootbreaker Wurm

Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath

Silent Assassin

Pyrostatic Pillar

Skyspear Cavalry

Nyxborn Eidolon

Spawning Grounds

Gruul Locket

Sea Spirit

Wickerbough Elder

Fecundity

Chromeshell Crab

Celestial Gatekeeper

Despark

Relentless Skaabs

Restoration Angel

Scrap

Ruinous Minotaur

Ranger of Eos

Phyrexian Arena

Searing Spear Askari

Pawn of Ulamog

Silverglade Pathfinder

Reckless Spite

Soul's Fire

Once and Future

Sundial of the Infinite

Inferno Titan

Selesnya Evangel

Willowdusk, Essence Seer

Hana Kami

Crookclaw Elder

Chorus of Might

Doubling Cube

Sedraxis Alchemist

Rosethorn Acolyte

Serra Angel

Savageborn Hydra

Relic Seeker

Ravager Wurm

Sol'kanar the Swamp King

Postmortem Lunge

Simic Sky Swallower

Sadistic Glee

Spirit Loop

Paradise Druid

Tectonic Edge

Ingot Chewer

Sensei's Divining Top

Wolverine Riders

Heartmender

Crookclaw Transmuter

Crawling Sensation

Dreamcatcher

Servant of Tymaret

Sanctum of All

Shattering Pulse

Spiteful Returned

Resplendent Angel

Red Sun's Zenith

Thalakos Mistfolk

Ravenous Chupacabra

Sky Swallower

Sanity Gnawers

Sram, Senior Edificer

Pathbreaker Wurm

Traverse the Ulvenwald

Iron Myr

Serpent Skin

Yidaro, Wandering Monster

Kithkin Healer

Crucible of Worlds

Crush of Wurms

Elite Vanguard

Set Adrift

Sanctum of Calm Waters

Shield of Kaldra

Staggershock

Riders of Gavony

Resilient Khenra

Theft of Dreams

Raving Dead

Swat

Scrounge

Stingscourger

Pith Driller

Tree of Redemption

Ironshell Beetle

Silk Net

Advocate of the Beast

Mana Maze

Darksteel Gargoyle

Divine Light

Feldon's Cane

Siege Dragon

Sanctum of Fruitful Harvest

Shivan Dragon

Street Spasm

Sanctum Seeker

Selvala's Stampede

Tourach's Chant

Reach of Shadows

Tajuru Preserver

Seismic Mage

Stormfront Riders

Recover

Treeshaker Chimera

Kira, Great Glass-Spinner

Skycloud Expanse

Anara, Wolvid Familiar

Memory Lapse

Diamond Kaleidoscope

Felidar Umbra

Flying Carpet

Simic Fluxmage

Sanctum of Shattered Heights

Sigiled Behemoth

Temur War Shaman

Shield of the Avatar

Skarrgan Hellkite

Toxic Deluge

Scourge Servant

Tamanoa

Shadow Rider

Sudden Impact

Rot Wolf

Tymaret Calls the Dead

Myojin of Life's Web

Spectral Cloak

Ayula, Queen Among Bears

Mother of Runes

Doubling Season

Fodder Cannon

Genesis Chamber

Skeletonize

Sanctum of Stone Fangs

Sisay's Ring

Traitorous Blood

Sigil of the New Dawn

Spawn of Thraxes

Tropical Storm

Shambling Attendants

Teferi's Moat

Sift

Terminate

Sauroform Hybrid

Undercity Plague

Phyrexian Juggernaut

Tangle Kelp

Battle Mammoth

Nature's Chosen

Dragon Blood

Frontline Strategist

Glaciers

Slave of Bolas

Sanctum of Tranquil Light

Skyclave Apparition

Trusty Machete

Sol Ring

Sporemound

Walking Dream

Sorin's Thirst

Thorn Elemental

Slaughter

Throttle

Scab-Clan Charger

Underworld Sentinel

Some ideas for your next artist-themed deck

Want some ideas for some good commander/artist combinations you could build? I went back into the EDHREC database to find the commanders who run the highest proportion of illustrations from a single artist.

Here are some seeds of decks to get you started, if there's a particular artist you would like to start building around. Note that the on-hover tooltip image of a card may not display the version of the card illustrated by the relevant artist - but when you order your cards, you should be able to specify a version that has your preferred illustration.

artist commander common_examples
13.8%
Johannes Voss
Sanctum of All
Sanctum of Fruitful Harvest
Sanctum of Stone Fangs
Sanctum of Calm Waters
Go-Shintai of Hidden Cruelty
Go-Shintai of Shared Purpose
Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars
Go-Shintai of Boundless Vigor
Go-Shintai of Lost Wisdom
Sanctum of Tranquil Light
Sanctum of Shattered Heights
Sphere of Safety
Windswept Heath
Estrid's Invocation
Esika, God of the Tree
Estrid, the Masked
Carpet of Flowers
Sundown Pass
Barkchannel Pathway
12.3%
Rebecca Guay
Fecundity
Path to Exile
Angelic Renewal
Wood Elves
Vigilant Martyr
Heartmender
Abundance
Defense of the Heart
Auramancer
Gaea's Blessing
Mother of Runes
Moment's Peace
Yavimaya Dryad
Seedtime
Serra's Blessing
Quirion Trailblazer
Angelic Page
Reverent Mantra
Aven Mindcensor
9.9%
Rob Alexander
Overgrown Tomb
Breeding Pool
Watery Grave
Stomping Ground
Wooded Foothills
Bloodstained Mire
Flooded Strand
Polluted Delta
Temple Garden
Hallowed Fountain
Steam Vents
Blood Crypt
Godless Shrine
Sacred Foundry
Demonic Consultation
Taiga
Savannah
Badlands
Underground Sea
8.3%
Jason Felix
All Is Dust
Wastes
Artisan of Kozilek
Mind Stone
Kozilek's Channeler
Warping Wail
Warden of Geometries
Endless One
Spawning Bed
Ruins of Oran-Rief
Herald's Horn
Deathless Behemoth
Thran Temporal Gateway
Coalition Relic
Amaranthine Wall
Codex Shredder
Conjurer's Closet
Perilous Myr
Sickleslicer
7.4%
Adam Paquette
Command Tower
Overgrown Tomb
Blood Crypt
Cinder Glade
Strip Mine
The Mending of Dominaria
Smoldering Marsh
Snow-Covered Forest
Snow-Covered Swamp
Snow-Covered Mountain
Wasteland
Arid Mesa
Ancient Tomb
Scalding Tarn
Sylvan Awakening
Reshape the Earth
Haunted Fengraf
Seismic Assault
Temple of Abandon
7.4%
John Avon
Cultivate
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Strip Mine
Golgari Rot Farm
Gruul Turf
Savage Lands
Kodama's Reach
Thespian's Stage
Rakdos Carnarium
Lotus Field
Dakmor Salvage
Explore
Explosive Vegetation
Arid Mesa
Savage Twister
Prismatic Omen
Anger
Maelstrom Pulse
Ash Barrens
7.3%
Chris Rahn
Sram, Senior Edificer
Sun Titan
Sword of Feast and Famine
Sword of Fire and Ice
Sword of Sinew and Steel
Sword of Light and Shadow
Blackblade Reforged
Sword of Truth and Justice
Sword of War and Peace
Sword of Body and Mind
Sword of Hearth and Home
Mox Opal
Gideon Jura
Armageddon
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon
Knight-Captain of Eos
Lyra Dawnbringer
Chitinous Cloak
Ajani Steadfast
7.2%
Mark Tedin
Sol Ring
Urza's Mine
Urza's Tower
Urza's Power Plant
Nevinyrral's Disk
Mana Vault
Mana Crypt
Karn Liberated
Wasteland
Urza's Factory
Planar Portal
Predator, Flagship
Winter Orb
Defense Grid
Skyship Weatherlight
Temple Bell
Myr Matrix
Doubling Cube
Eldrazi Monument
7.1%
Dan Scott
Arcane Signet
Ponder
Opt
Serum Visions
Mizzix's Mastery
Electrostatic Field
Reiterate
Epic Experiment
Aetherspouts
Terramorphic Expanse
Gelectrode
Charmbreaker Devils
Turnabout
Tormenting Voice
Wild Ricochet
Solemn Simulacrum
Hypersonic Dragon
Firemind's Foresight
Blistercoil Weird
6.9%
Titus Lunter
Snow-Covered Forest
Snow-Covered Island
Snow-Covered Swamp
Woodland Chasm
Shimmerdrift Vale
Faceless Haven
Polluted Delta
Pact of Negation
Rise of the Dread Marn
Mana Confluence
Epiphany at the Drownyard
Burgeoning
Sunken Hollow
Temple of Malady
Urza's Saga
Icy Manipulator
Arch of Orazca
Adventurous Impulse
Hadana's Climb
6.6%
Noah Bradley
Urza's Ruinous Blast
Primevals' Glorious Rebirth
Kamahl's Druidic Vow
Overgrown Tomb
Godless Shrine
Indatha Triome
Yawgmoth's Vile Offering
Evolving Wilds
Temple of Plenty
Nurturing Peatland
Cleansing Nova
Horizon Canopy
Winds of Abandon
Secluded Steppe
Barren Moor
Tranquil Thicket
Leyline of the Void
Transguild Promenade
Leyline of Sanctity
6.5%
Izzy
Thrill of Possibility
Unleash Fury
Crash Through
Guttersnipe
Tormenting Voice
Jeska's Will
Fling
Deflecting Swat
Wildfire Devils
Sure Strike
Rousing Refrain
Red Elemental Blast
Evolving Wilds
Volcanic Strength
Infiltration Lens
Magebane Armor
Repeated Reverberation
Surly Badgersaur
Pyrophobia
6.4%
Daarken
Kulrath Knight
Midnight Banshee
Corrosive Mentor
Contagion Engine
Solemn Simulacrum
Blasphemous Act
Grasping Dunes
Bloodstained Mire
Demonic Tutor
Badlands
Kolaghan's Command
Theater of Horrors
Bloodghast
Wooded Foothills
Archfiend of Depravity
Demon of Dark Schemes
Scourge Servant
Obosh, the Preypiercer
Outpost Siege
6.4%
Jonas De Ro
Irrigated Farmland
Drifting Meadow
Ash Barrens
Raugrin Triome
Zenith Flare
Starstorm
Steam Vents
Myriad Landscape
Scalding Tarn
Evolving Wilds
Deserted Beach
Wooded Foothills
Tranquil Cove
Wind-Scarred Crag
Inspiring Vantage
Thriving Isle
Command Beacon
Abrade
Emergence Zone
6.3%
Svetlin Velinov
Brash Taunter
Thorn Mammoth
Foe-Razer Regent
Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma
Ravager Wurm
Ezuri's Predation
Titanic Brawl
Swiftfoot Boots
Golden Guardian
Unnatural Growth
Anger
Apex Devastator
Hydra Omnivore
Gemrazer
Bolt Bend
Selvala's Stampede
Mayor of Avabruck
Vrondiss, Rage of Ancients
Titanoth Rex
6.1%
Franz Vohwinkel
Buried Ruin
Heat Shimmer
Blood Moon
Magus of the Moon
Chrome Mox
Expedition Map
Conqueror's Flail
Voltaic Key
Sword of War and Peace
Earthquake
Traveler's Amulet
Armillary Sphere
Cathedral of War
Fervor
Ornithopter
Myr Battlesphere
Panic Spellbomb
Khalni Gem
Phyrexia's Core
6%
Volkan Baa
Sol Ring
The Chain Veil
Gilded Lotus
Mana Crypt
Chrome Mox
Mox Opal
Mox Diamond
Snapcaster Mage
Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
Verity Circle
Halimar Depths
Mirrormade
Anticipate
Chromatic Orrery
Wash Out
Mindslaver
Alrund's Epiphany
Discontinuity
Sol Talisman
5.8%
Yeong-Hao Han
Sol Ring
Overgrown Tomb
Hallowed Fountain
Breeding Pool
Chromatic Lantern
Tamiyo, Field Researcher
Windswept Heath
Undergrowth Stadium
Three Visits
Sylvan Library
Toxic Deluge
Rings of Brighthearth
Ancient Tomb
Nesting Grounds
Maze of Ith
Hengegate Pathway
Dance of the Manse
Basalt Monolith
Burnished Hart
5.4%
Jason A. Engle
Karametra, God of Harvests
Kruphix, God of Horizons
Nylea, Keen-Eyed
Xenagos, God of Revels
Iroas, God of Victory
Keranos, God of Storms
Klothys, God of Destiny
Nylea, God of the Hunt
Heliod, God of the Sun
Mogis, God of Slaughter
Erebos, God of the Dead
Thassa, God of the Sea
Purphoros, God of the Forge
Athreos, God of Passage
Purphoros, Bronze-Blooded
Ephara, God of the Polis
Eerie Ultimatum
Kaya the Inexorable
Heliod, Sun-Crowned

Some of these are pretty on-the-nose: Johannes Voss was commissioned to illustrate many of the Shrines, which are suitable for a Shrine commander. The Asmira/Rebecca Guay combination is appealing because Guay actually illustrated Asmira herself!

Jason Felix is apparently an Eltrazi tribal illustrator, Chris Rahn illustrated the majority of the "Sword of X and Y" cycle, and Izzy is apparently just very good at illustrating cheap, aggressive, spellslinger-y cards.

Magic clearly would not be the game it is without the incredible illustrations that grace each card, and I just wanted to express my appreciation for the many talented artists that have contributed to the game in this way.

1 Note that EDHREC only stores card names, not the specific version of each card. Many cards have been printed multiple times with different art, so I'm making the assumption that decks which run many other pieces of art by a given artist are choosing the reprint also illustrated by that artist.

MtGDS (AKA Magic Data Science) is pretty new to the game, but is trying to understand it as best he can through data. He loves making graphs and finding new ways to measure things. You can read his non-Commander articles at http://mtgds.wordpress.com, and he's worth a follow on Twitter @MtG_DS.

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